Double Standard: Mohammed Cartoons and “Piss Christ”
Following the continuing saga of the cartoon controversy, TimesWatch reports:
One would hope and expect a liberal newspaper like the Times to have the meager virtue of consistency on matters of freedom of expression, particularly in defense of another newspaper. As the world now knows, the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten published twelve cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad last September, considered taboo (though not always recognized as such).
But Times reporter Craig Smith found the cartoons more inflammatory than he did the actual fact of Muslims burning embassies in Syria and Lebanon in protest. Even the headline to his Sunday Week in Review story suggests that the Danish newspapers’ exercise of free speech was somehow irresponsible, likening it to pouring fuel on a flame: “Adding Newsprint to the Fire.”Â
. . .Back in the 1990s, the Times took a far different tone regarding two excretory-based exhibits offensive to Christians — though those controversies passed without the violent protests, death threats, or fire-bombings of embassies we are seeing today.
Andres Serrano’s “Piss Christ,” consisted of a crucifix submerged in a tank of Serrano’s urine. Chris Ofili’s “The Holy Virgin Mary” showed the icon clotted with elephant dung and surrounded by pornographic cut-outs.
Urine and dung? Considered artwork? Good thing Muhhamad was portrayed in a toilet with both.
Read the whole thing.
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Rocco DiPippo: “Piss Christ vs. Cartoon Jihad”
February 6th, 2006 at 7:26 pm
This type of behavior appears more racist than rseponsible. How does attacking American embassies resolve anything. America is not even involved in the cartoon issue. I think this just shows how irrational, and racist, these individuals are. There are many good Muslims, these ones perpetraing violence are not. I also wonder why more moderate Muslims have not condemmed the violence, I sure hope they don’t condone this racist behavior.
Raymond B
http://www.voteswagon.com
February 13th, 2006 at 3:12 am
Thoughts on an Islamic Prophet…
I respect Muslims and any religion that acknowledges there is just but one God. I also have respect for free speech and not letting free speech be controlled by terror. I believe the Danish people should be proud to freely speak their minds, and I ho…
February 18th, 2006 at 2:25 pm
[...] It’s not like Bill Clinton was condemning the activities of American “artists” (federally-funded, we might add) who were insulting Christians. Nor does he speak out as the Middle East continues to do. [...]
April 28th, 2006 at 11:43 pm
[...] RELATED: MTV Pokes Fun at Jesus’ Crucifixion Hypocrisy on Parade: New York Times Runs Photo of Dung-Clotted “Virgin Mary” Double Standard: Mohammed Cartoons and “Piss Christ” What in God’s Name is Going On? Islam: “The Religion of Peace” [...]